Book 2 - Day 23 The Daughter's of Zelophehad

Have you ever felt the desire for vindication? Robbed in wrongdoing, someone has treated you harshly, gossiped behind your back, stolen monetary treasures, taken the promotion you tirelessly worked for or an idea, song, a story you’ve intrinsically imagined, then to have it copy-written, pressed as another’s genius work of art? God, where is the vindication?

            Many have asked the very question you have. Psalm 73:3,12 read, “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. This is what they wicked are like – always carefree, they increase in wealth.” Job asked, “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” (Job 21:7) Jeremiah complained to God, “You are always righteous, O Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?” (Jeremiah 12:1)

            Zelophehad’s daughter’s desired vindication. In the book of Numbers 27, God redeems their land as the inheritance to the daughters of a man who had died in the wilderness. “The daughter’s of Zelophehad son Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Micah and Tirzah. They approached the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders and the whole assembly and said, ‘Our father died in the desert. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the Lord, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. Why should our father’s name disappear from his clan because he had no son? Give us property among our father’s relatives.’

            So Moses brought their case before the Lord and the Lord said to him, ‘What Zelophehad’s daughters are saying is right. You must certainly give them property as an inheritance among their father’s relatives and turn their father’s inheritance over to them.’

            Say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, turn his inheritance over to his daughter. If he has no daughter, give his inheritance over to his brothers. If he has no brother, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. If his father had no brothers, give his inheritance to the nearest relative in his clan that he may possess it. This is to be a legal requirement for the Israelites as the Lord commanded Moses.’” (Numbers 27:1-11)

            Woman, we have a God who is just and judges impartially (1 Peter 1:17). He will take your case and judge fairly. If we take apart this story, here is what we find: God knew the daughter’s names, the Lord knew their hearts and the words were true, the women took their case and laid it in front of the altar, God judged impartially and fairly. The Lord told Moses because of their case, apparently the first of its kind, he stimulated what was to be done in circumstances such as this. Hebrews 4:16 scribes, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Yes! These women boldly approached the Lord, in front of all the people, and presented their case. The Lord confirmed their boldness and rewarded them with justice and righteousness!

 I myself have had several instances were I desire vindication, redemption and Truth. Completely transparent, I pray and lay it before the Almighty with an open heart and exactly how I feel. At times my prayer has been as I weep, “Father, my heart is broken. Why would he/she say these things? Why have he/she spoken such lies against me? Why are they acting this way? Vindicate me Lord.” Yes, I have experienced the brunt of vicious gossiping from Christians.   Other times, I have brought my case before the Lord in frustration and annoyance.  Fresh in my mind from this past week of having paid a medical bill in full, yet the company denied such a claim, I lay it before the Lord, “Uhhhh, Lord please, I have done what is right! I have paid my bills, why is this company not adjusting my balance!” I freely express my thoughts and feelings to the Lord, approaching the Throne of Grace.

Still, yet there is more, I have come before the God in prayer angry at the obtrusive, boorish and down right rude actions of Christians. Their crude, ill-mannered actions threw me on my knees angrily before the Lord, “Father I am angry! Why is he/she doing this! Have a done something to cause such an offense? I can not see in to the heart, only you can, so please judge this situation fairly and justly.”

My sister, there have been situations were I have placed a broken heart on the altar, as Mary of Bethany, crying and anointing Christ with love, adoration and seeking restoration only to be told I was sensitive. I was easily offended and should forgive. I have lifted up a voice in prayer crying out for Truth to the God who judges impartially only to have my case quickly resolved with an apology over wrong doing. Finally, my sister, I have sought vindication and am still waiting for God’s perfect timing.

I love that I have a God who can see into the hearts of men/women, “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” (Jeremiah 17:10) “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:27) I, for the life of me, do not understand people. The actions of those who cut to the core of your heart, deep scars you desire healed. Only the Lord can heal those wounds and vindication the wrong, bringing justice to a delicate situation. 

My mother and I had a disagreement, to say the least, which caused our relationship to be broken and unspoken for one year. It was a challenging time for; my mother as well, but God will mend any situation you give to him. I inquired of the Lord Truth; I knew I was right and at one point did not want to hear I was wrong. God did not respond with right or wrong, but instead, “You were not honoring your mother as I have commanded.” When we desire Truth, you better be prepared for the answer, especially if the answer is not what you want to hear.

For one year, I was laying my mother and our relationship at the cross. Little did I know she was doing the same. God rectified our relationship with Truth, apologies and grateful hearts for a relationship built on the Rock. I have had other disagreements or people completely dismissing my testimony as false when never once the thought of prayer or inquiring of the Lord has entered their mind. I have asked for vindication and restoration, an open heart to receive Truth with low and behold the book you are now reading. Woman, not all your complaints before the Lord will receive the outcome you desire, we have to humble ourselves before the Lord and seek Truth.  I encourage you, if God reveals you to be wrong, apologize and be thankful for Truth.

Jehovah-Shamah, The Lord is There,

            “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your Truth. I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; I abhor the assemble of the evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord, proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells.

            Do not take away my soul along with the sinners, my life with blood thirsty men, in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes. But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me.  My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will praise the Lord.” (Psalm 26)

            I believe I can boldly approach the Throne, confident you will judge fairly (Hebrews 4:16). I believe you are a just and righteous judge who searched the hearts and minds of men/women (Jeremiah 17:10). I bring my case before you and desire Truth. If I am wrong, I will quickly mend the situation in obedience. I am right, in your perfect timing, vindication me; redeem what has been lost, stolen, broken and wrong doing. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, amen.